Typically held on the second Monday of October, Sports Day is a national Japanese holiday known for athletics and, surprisingly, food. Despite the event’s namesake physical activity, the bento box lunches are often where the real competition lies.
Virtual Travel with Umami: Shimane
Until we can all travel again, indulge in the deep history and food culture of Japan's beautiful Shimane prefecture virtually.
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In the month of September, both shiitake mushrooms and eggplant are in season. In Japan, where many dishes feature fresh, in-season ingredients, you can expect to see a wide variety of dishes containing these flavorful and healthy ingredients.
No matter how you choose to celebrate it, Tsukimi or Jyugoya is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the moon in all her glory. Enjoy some delicious Japanese dishes as you pay tribute to the beautiful autumn harvest.
Kids in kimonos? Don't be surprised if you see Japanese boys and girls all dolled up come November. It's the time of year for shichi-go-san, a traditional aging ceremony held for children of specific ages.
Ramen noodle soup can be a great option to fend off the cold weather. Enjoy a quick bowl after work, or linger over a delicious midday meal with your family. Either way, you'll be sure to enjoy the unique Japanese food culture of ramen noodles.
Persimmons, the national fruit of Japan, are a tasty fruit that can be used in many culinary applications. They are also quite healthy.
Sweet potatoes and enoki mushrooms are both in season in October in Japan, and will be featured in many Japanese dishes during this time. These vibrant ingredients are also very healthy, and will make a good addition to your regular diet.
The month of November is when apples and spinach are both in season. There are a number of ways to utilize these ingredients in Japanese cuisine. And cooking fresh Japanese meals with these ingredients yields a lot of health benefits and flavor.
Japanese Worldwide Travel goes to Sao Paulo and San Francisco this autumn with delicious fusion styles that will rock your taste buds.
The strange appearance of many traditional Japanese dishes might cause the uninitiated to avert their eyes, but if you want to challenge yourself and some guests this Halloween, think about giving some of these dishes a try!
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Quick & Easy Recipes
Learn how to make Ogura toast, a Japanese breakfast recipe that is also healthy. Adzuki bean paste is smothered on freshly toasted bread for a sweet and creamy taste that will jump-start your day the right way.
Ketchup rice covered with a thin omelet. Try this once and you might fall in love with the tastiness!
This traditional Japanese dish is a popular appetizer. The miso paste matches perfectly with the eggplants, making you want to eat more!
The sesame dressing adds to the tofu and asparagus salad! Make a lot of the dressing so you can stock it for multiple uses.
Ready for the ultimate easy to make nutrition-packed vegetarian meal yet? Then let's make this Shio Kombu tofu salad! This heart-healthy and flavorful salad is a versatile dish that can be whipped up in a matter of minutes.
There are myriad of ways to cook miso soup. This recipe focuses on maitake mushroom, one of the many healthy mushrooms used in Japaneses cooking.
Recipe for those getting bored of avocado toasts.
Soy and butter combine to deliver a savory flavor punch you will not soon forget with our easy-to-make authentic Japanese recipe for butter sautéed spinach and egg scramble that you can make from scratch right in your home kitchen.
Wafu Pasta is an Italian-influenced Japanese fusion specialty that is popular in Japan but still not widely known in the west. Learn how to create one right here with our easy to follow authentic Japanese food recipe and video.
Combining flavorful ingredients like pork belly and shiitake mushrooms with classic Japanese seasonings like mirin and dashi, this hearty tonjiru soup will delight friends and family when you whip it up in your home kitchen.
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You can make much more than miso soup with miso paste. Try our five easy recipes that use miso paste to expand your cooking repertoire. Once you're used to using miso, you can surely apply it to many more recipes.
A lifestyle in Shimane consists of fresh seafood from the Japan Sea, mountains with bountiful seasonal harvests, and the rich history of fermentation culture. Take a look into life here in Shimane and what it has to offer.
Shimane has many food products unique and special to its culture and history. From green tea to roses, there is something for everybody. To dig deeper into the food history of the area, meet the people maintaining Shimane's identity.
Exploring Shimane through its tea and soba is one way you can get an introduction to its history and culture. Learn how they are committed to keeping this food tradition alive and thriving in Shimane.
Donburi rice bowls are quick and flavor-packed meals that are a popular part of Japanese food. Make Gyudon, a rice bowl topped with thinly sliced beef and green onions in your kitchen with our recipe!
The vegan boom in recent years shows similar movements in Japan, and vegan sushi is also becoming popular. Learn how to make your vegan sushi easily at home!
